There has recently been a disturbing case of extensive animal cruelty by staff at a slaughterhouse – and this has been made even more shocking by the paltry hand-slap sentences they each received.

Despite overwhelming evidence of their persistent and extreme cruelty, three defendants received suspended prison sentences (of between 16-20 weeks) and all received fines.

Why were the sentences suspended?

This equates to nothing more than a timid hand-slap by the court.

If the same cruelty had been meted out to a human, the sentence would be more likely to be something in proportion to the crime: and let us not pretend these are anything less than criminal actions by dangerous individuals.

In any civilised society, criminal activity should be punished proportionately, which includes acts of cruelty to animals, otherwise we are, at best, only pretending to be civilised.

Those responsible for determining sentences should be made to look again at this case and revisit guidelines for sentencing, otherwise psychopaths who want to vent their deranged needs on to others will do so, knowing they face no more than a pretend sentence that will deter no one. Next step, a human victim?

Dr Mike Lowry

Address supplied

Accepting Brexit decision

I campaigned and voted to remain in Europe in 2016, but I accept the democratic decision of the majority of voters who wish to come out.

We have had years of discussion on this subject in the pubs, cafes, buses, post offices, housing estates etc.

During the campaign, everywhere I went, I was asked the same question ‘in or out?’

Politicians on both sides were dishonest in the campaign.

The argument that they understood Brexit better than the voters is patronising and I am reminded of an old quote from the late Bertolt Brecht: “You cannot re-elect the electorate; you have to live with their judgment”. So be it.

John Appleyard

Address supplied

End to dreams of US of Europe

At last the EU bully boys, who are threatening dire consequences for the UK if we don’t submit to their vindictive conditions for leaving, have now met

their match in President Trump.

It is so easy for these unelected bureaucrats to bully a small nation like ours, but not so easy to frighten the leader of the most powerful nation in the world.

If President Trump imposes tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and cars from the EU, the whole EU economy will collapse like snow before the summer rain, bringing an end to EU dreams of a United States of Europe.

Dick Lindley

via email

When is the first of spring?

I was born on March 21, 1930, the first day of spring. However, now, after all these decades, I am informed by the media that the first day of spring is March 1, as well as being St David’s Day presumably, unless that has also been changed?

These days when, to me, so much seems to change for the worse, and which we are obliged to accept, I never ever imagined that well established facts could also suddenly be changed.

On whose authority?

However, until the day I go to meet my maker, the date I entered the world will, as far as I am concerned, forever remain the first day of spring. Prayerfully and hopefully, there will be no law against that!

Mrs EH Bell

Address supplied

Respect your surroundings

On my travels around the area on my bicycle, I have noticed the large amount of litter spoiling our town and countryside – plastic bags, plastic bottles, takeaway food cartons, dog excrement on footpaths etc.

Why don’t people have more respect for our environment and take pride in what we have?

How can we change this attitude?

As a start, I would like to see a nationwide campaign to promote “Not to drop litter”.